Curler pad



: March-3, 1-970 J. HQZIMM-E'RMAN 3,498,301 I v CURLER PAD Filed NOV. 1, 1967 I I INVENTOR. JOYCE H. Z/MME/ZMAN United States Patent 3,498,301 CURLER PAD Joyce H. Zimmerman, 3713 Klemer Road, North Tonawanda, N.Y. 14120 Filed Nov. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 679,925 Int. Cl. A45d 2/18 US. Cl. 13243 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A curler pad of generally solid rectangular configuration including a foam-like cushioning surface for location next to the scalp and a hooked pile fabric for releasable attachment to hair wound on a curler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved curler pad of the type which is used to cushion the scalp from a hair curler by being placed therebetween.

Hair curlers of various types are commonly in use which create pressure or cause abrasions when pressed against the scalp, as when worn during sleep. In an attempt to overcome this annoyance, curler pads have been used in the past to cushion the scalp. One class of prior curler pads consisted of an elongated pad with a slit through which the hair to be curled was pulled prior to being wound on a curler. It was troublesome, annoying, and time-consuming to apply this type of pad because the hair had to be pulled through it, and it could not be removed without first removing the roller, nor could it be applied after the roller was mounted. Notwithstanding the discomfort to which women were subjected, the above-described general type of curler pads did not appear to gain extensive commercial favor, in all probability because of the inconvenience related to their use. It is with an improved curler pad which overcomes the foregoing shortcomings that the present invention is concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide an improved curler pad which can be placed between a curler and the scalp quickly and easily by merely pressing it against the hair wound on a curler.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved curler pad which will remain affixed to the hair without the use of adhesive and which can be removed by simply pulling it away from the hair.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved curler pad which is compatible with any size or type of hair curler.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a curler pad which is inexpensive to manufacture and highly efiicient in operation. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter.

The improved curler pad of the present invention protects the scalp against pressure or abrasion from a hair curler. It consists of a substantially solid rectangular pad member including a foam-like pad means forming one side of the pad member for bearing against the scalp of a wearer and catch means on the opposite side of the pad member for engaging the hair wound on a curler as a result of being pressed into said hair. In its preferred form, the catch means consists of hooked pile fabric which engages the hair and which will hold tenaciously as long as a manual force is not applied to remove it. However, the pad can be removed by merely pulling it away from the hair. The present invention will be more ice fully understood when the following portions of the specification are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the plurality of the improved curler pads of the present invention in position on the head of a wearer;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the side of the curler pad which bears against the scalp;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the curler pad showing the hooked pile fabric which attaches to the hair;

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view taken from the left of FIGURE 3 and showing in magnified detail the general configuration of the hooked pile fabric bristles; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the pattern of the hooked pile fabric.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A plurality of curler pads 10 are shown in position on the head of a wearer in FIGURE 1, the pads being located between curlers 11 and the scalp. As can be seen from FIGURE 1, the hair 12 of the wearer is wound about the curlers, and the curlers are locked in position by pins 11'. Curlers generally have protuberances such as metal knobs or bristles, or sharp parts which can press against or abrade the scale when the wearer presses her head against the pillow while sleeping. It is for overcoming the discomfort experienced under the foregoing circumstances that the improved pad of the present invention is used.

The improved pad 10' is of generally solid rectangular configuration, as can be seen from FIGURES 2 and 3, and is of a size which will fit conveniently between the curler 11 and the scalp. It will be appreciated that if it is too small, parts of the curler may press against the scalp, and if it is too large, it cannot conveniently be placed in position. Preferably it is of the general overall dimension such as shown in FIGURE 1.

Curler pad 10 consists of a block of foam-like material 13 which may be polystyrene foam, foam rubber, or any plastic or synthetic foam material which is noted for its pressure or shock-absorbing qualities, so that it can effectively provide a cushioning action. This side is placed up against the scalp of the wearer by merely inserting pad 10 between the scalp and the curler with hair wound thereon. In FIGURE 1 the lowermost pad 10 on the left would merely he slid upwardly above the ear, as can readily be visualized.

After pad 10 has been located in the foregoing manner, curler 11 with the hair 12 rolled thereon, is pressed toward the scalp. This will cause the hooked pile fabric 14, which forms an entire face of pad 10, to press into the hair wound on the curler and act as a catch arrangement to retain the pad in contact with the hair. This can be understood more readily from FIGURES 4 and 5 which show the hooked pile fabric 14 in greater detail. More specifically, the hooked pile fabric includes horizontal and vertical rows of yieldable catch members 15 separated by horizontal spaces 16 and vertical spaces 17. Each catch member 15 extends upwardly from base 14' and has a hook shaped outer end (FIG. 4). A leg 15' is in line with the hooked end of each member 15. As can be seen from FIGURE 4, essentially each catch member 15 and leg 15 associated therewith comprises a U-shaped member which is separated at 16'. The ends of legs 15 are substantially in line with the ends of the hooked members 15 and are in contact to form members of U-shape. In the drawings the spaces 16' have been shown for ease of illustration only. Essentially, each combination of elements 15-15' is in the nature of a snap hook. Therefore, when the hooked pile fabric is pressed against the hair rolled on the curler, the catch members 15 Will enter between the hairs and certain of the catch members 15 will hook around the hairs, because of their yielding nature, to retain the hooked pile fabric in engagement with the hair wound on the roller. This holds the pad securely in position, notwithstanding the forces to which it is subjected while the wearer is sleeping.

When it is desired to remove the pad from catching engagement with the hair it is merely necessary to pull it away from the hair with the fingers, preferably in a direction radially to the roller. The catch members will release and permit the pad to be withdrawn without pulling the hair away from the roller to any appreciable degree. This action is obtained because both the catch members 15 and legs 15' of the hooked pile fabric are yieldable, that is, they are resilient so that when the hooked pile fabric 14 is pulled away from the hair, the hooked end portions of catch members 15 in engagement with the hair will open to release the hair.

A suitable hooked pile fabric 14 which has been utilized successfully to achieve the above described type of action is known by the trademark Velcro and can be obtained commercially in strip form. This fabric consists of a backing from which the catch members project. It is believed that the bristles are nylon or another suitable plastic. The hooked pile fabric is extremely flexible, almost like a normal fabric. It is merely necessary to cement a strip of such hooked pile fabric to the pad member to obtain the above described curler pad. The adhesive layer between the foam 13 and the catch members has not been shown in the drawings.

Curler pads which have been made in accordance with the present invention have had the following dimensions: length, 3 inches; width, 1 inch; and thickness, 7 inch. However, it will be appreciated that departures may be made from the foregoing dimensions to meet any particular requirements.

It will also be appreciated that, if desired, the pad of the present invention may be made in configurations other than rectangular, such as oval, or rectangular with rounded corners, or possibly even circular, if desied. In addition, while the curler pad of the present invention has been depicted as being solid, that is unapertured, if desired, apertures can be placed therein in the form of circular holes or slots for the purpose of providing ventilation. It will be appreciated, however, that providing of such apertures is strictly for the foregoing purpose and not for the purpose in prior pads, namely, to permit the hair to be pulled therethrough prior to applying the roller, as the improved pads of the present invention are applied after the roller is in place.

It will also be appreciated that if desired the pad can be formed with the hooked pile surface being' concave to more positively attach to the roller in complementary mating relationship, thereby enbracing the grip with which the hooked pile fabric secures itself to the hair. Furthermore, while a specific type of curler has been depicted in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the curler pad can be used with practically any type of curler.

While the catch members have been depicted as consisting of elements 15 and 15 it will be appreciated that the intended holding function can be achieved by eliminating legs 15'. In addition, the catch members can assume any other desired shape, such as corrugated, which will adequately provide the holding function. Also, if desired, the catch members may be made straight and bristlelike and of sufiicient length so that they will hold by merely penetrating the hair wound on the curler. Furthermore, while the pad 13 has been described as being fabricated of foam, it will be appreciated that other cushioning materials such as felt, rubber, or fabrics are within the contemplation of the present invention. In addition, a pad is defined as anything which will act as a cushion between the curler and the scalp.

What is claimed is:

1. A curler pad for insertion between the scalp of a person and a hair curler which has had hair wound thereon prior to said insertion, comprising an elongated pad member, pad means forming one side of said pad member for abutting said scalp of said person, and catch means comprising a hooked pile fabric on the opposite side of said pad member from said pad means for releasably engaging said hair wound on said curler when said curler with said hair wound thereon is pressed against said pad member after said pad member has been inserted between said scalp and said curler, whereby said pad member is held in position and cushions the scalp from said curler.

2. A curler pad as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pad means comprise a foam-like material.

3. A curler pad as set forth in claim 2 wherein said elongated pad member is of generally solid rectangular configuration with said hooked pile fabric secured to said foam-like material.

4. A curler pad as set forth in claim 2 wherein said elongated pad member is unapertured.

5. A curler pad as set forthin claim 1 wherein said elongated pad member is of generally solid rectangular configuration with said hooked pile fabric secured to said pad member.

6. A curler pad as set forth in claim 2 wherein said elongated pad member is unapertured.

7. A curler pad as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pad means comprise a foam-like material.

8. A curler pad for insertion between the scalp of a person and a hair curler which has had hair wound thereon prior to said insertion, comprising an elongated pad member, pad means forming one side of said pad member for abutting said scalp of said person, and catch means comprising resilient hook-like members having base portions and hook portions on the opposite side of said pad member from said pad means for releasably engaging said hair wound on said curler when said curler with said hair wound thereon is pressed against said pad member after said pad member has been inserted between said scalp and said curler, whereby said pad member is held in position and cushions the scalp from said curler.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS RUSSELL R. KINSEY, Primary Examiner G. E. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner 

